10 Best Wineries of 2017

As a wine connoisseur and travel junkie, I wanted to share with you my favorite 2017 wineries that I think you, too, should visit.

1. Ravines Wine Cellars, Geneva, New York

Ravines Wine Cellars is a small, family-owned winery that is ideally perched on a hillside that overlooks Seneca Lake in New York State. The winery is committed to the craftsmanship of fine classical wine-making and the wines are perfect expressions of the exceptional quality of the growing season, the vineyard locations, and the vision of the winemaker.

2. Dragonette Cellars, Los Olivos, California

Dragonette Cellars offers world-class wines and is among the most captivating wineries along the Central Coast. The winery is the brainchild of John and Steve Dragonette, who are brothers, and Brandon Sparks-Gillis, their close friend. It was founded in 2005 after the three worked together for years at a prominent Los Angeles wine shop. The majority of their wines are bottled without filtration or fining.

3. Black Ankle Vineyards, Mount Airy, Md.

The prime location of Black Ankle Vineyards is marked by rocky soils and rolling hillsides. The land and vines are meticulously taken care of which has yielded grapes that produce wines of character, depth, and nuance. They have truly accomplished their goal of making delightful wines that enrich the foods with which they are paired and add a special touch to any day.

4. The Eyrie Vineyards, McMinnville, Oregon

The Eyrie Vineyards 2014 Pinot Gris is one of the remarkable offerings from this winery. Detailed and stylish, this classic effort showcases an elegant and subtle approach to the grape. It offers concentrated notes of citrus rind, pear skin, and prime minerality.

5. Michael Shaps Wineworks, Charlottesville, Virginia

Located in the Charlottesville mountains in Virginia, Michael Shapes Wineworks is the maker of award-winning wines. Wines are produced under both the Michael Shaps label and the Virginia Wineworks label. This multifaceted winery also offers contract winemaking services and has roughly 25 clients in this aspect of the business.

6. DeLille Cellars, Woodinville, Washington

Located close to Woodinville, DeLille Cellars specializes in Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Its D2 is touted as a “must-try” wine and this is largely due to its complex aromas of ocean air, marjoram, and burnt cedar. This absolutely delicious wine has a broad and rich texture, with an edge of smooth tannins. The finish opens into dark berries and savory herbs.

7. Mount Eden Vineyards, Saratoga, California

This small, historic winery sits 2000 feet above Silicon Valley. Mount Eden Vineyards is recognized as being among the original “boutique” wineries in California. They focus on small lots of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. They have the longest lineage of estate bottled Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

8. Woodward Canyon Winery, Lowden, Washington

Situated in the Walla Walla Valley, this was the second winery in that location. The owners of Woodward Canyon Winery played an integral role in procuring federal approval of the location. The winery consistently produces age-worthy, premium Merlots, Chardonnays and Cabernet Sauvignons. With their determination that quality would always supersede quantity, they have remained small, growing its production to roughly 15,000 from 1200 cases.

9. Barboursville Vineyards, Barboursville, Virginia

This historic and magnificent vineyard houses the most honored winery in Virginia. Barboursville Vineyards is the producers of Virginia’s most notable red wine, Octagon, and overall, they produce the best wines in Virginia. The tasting rooms and other settings are stunning and they offer a diverse and extensive wine sampling.

10. Tablas Creek Vineyard, Paso Robles, California

This 120-acre vineyard produces top-quality Chateauneuf-du-Pape style wines, using hand harvesting, organic farming techniques, and fermentation with native yeasts. In 2003, Tablas Creek Vineyard was certified organic and now a section of the vineyard is also utilizing biodynamic techniques.

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